Fear phase AND Naughty phase...Can someone make me a drink?!

[Stephanie & Reggie]

Reggie is 8 months now, and has turned into a real stinker. The first few months I had him he was pretty fantastic - an overall great pup, smart, obedient, friendly, easy! Super patient and wonderful with all of the little kids at my dance studio. Now it seems he is in some sort of testing phase mixed with the dreaded 2nd fear phase... Constant jumping on people, nipping, growling at thin air, barking like crazy at every other animal he sees. A few weeks a go he was bitten on the nose at the dog park by a pit bull - (first time ever at a dog park. The second time we tried I didn't let him go in because he was being so wild and barky at the dog already inside...so we are 0/2) and since then his reaction to other dogs has gradually gone from excited tail wagging, to excited barking, and now growling and aggressive barking/lunging on the leash even when the other dogs aren't even paying attention to him. I don't know if he's got PTSD or something, or is just suddenly scared of other dogs? He used to relax, lie down and chew a toy during non-structured time, but lately he is all over the place! In fact, I'm writing this from my iPad because he just jumped up on the coffee table and spilled a glass of water all over my laptop :/ zzzap. We sat on a patio with friends yesterday and in the 2 hours we we there (i took him for some walks during that time) he did not settle down one time! Then of course was exhausted and slept for 3 hours when we got home.

I tried to sign us up for obedience class, but was told he isn't a good fit if he gets that riled up around other dogs. So we have a private appointment tomorrow with a trainer and I'm hoping it helps us get back on track.

Did anyone else's doodle act out at this age? Or become irrationally fearful? Or ruin expensive electronics? Ugh. Any advice? I'm trying to remain calm and assertive, but am admittedly getting very frustrated.

[Stephanie & Reggie]

Thanks Adina! I'm in Madison, so I think Holmen is about 2.5 or 3 hours away. But perhaps she knows someone in my area who would be a good fit? There are TONS of options. Almost too many...

[Adina P]

What about the other trainer I linked you to?   Is she any closer?
Are there obedience clubs in you area?  I would find someone who has put obedience titles on their own dogs and has trained high energy dogs before.  At least that would be at the top of my criteria.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

You and Reggie both will know a really good trainer when you find one.  A really good trainer will take the leash of  Reggie the crazy dog and within less than a minute you will see Reggie Sparkle toes.  It is extremely easy for a dog to know a good trainer when they take the leash.  Reggie will know in an instant that the person at the end of the leash is calm, and totally in control of the situation.  Just keep searching, stay calm and put Reggie in his crate, covered with a light sheet or blanket when you need a time out from him.  I totally sympathize somewhere between 6 months and 18 months ( it can even be later) the darling puppy personality is overcome with the terrible two year old personality.  It is the doggie teenage years and with some dogs can be quite a challenge.

 

If it is easier with your schedule even several  2 -5 minute sessions on leash training  with your complete attention and then back in the crate can work wonders.  Then when you really have time do 5-10 minutes of leash training - stop before you want to - that is stop when it is going well and let Reggie have some leash time play. Then train, play , train, play for a half hour.

 

Just keep at it - all but a few of us have experienced this and lived to tell the tale. 

[Stephanie & Reggie]

Thanks so much Maryann, for the advice and encouragement! I love the piece about stopping "before you want to". I know we'll make it through this, but it looks like I'll be gaining a couple of gray hairs - or maybe just fine-tuning my ability to stay calm and patient! 

[Stephanie Brown]

My pup's been great up to this point also. I'm waiting for the terrible twos! So it seems it happens between 6-8 months old? Great! Any advice on stopping it before it starts? Good luck with Reggie too!!! So far Rigby's had two weeks of puppy class and seems to be doing quite well. We'll see!

[Stephanie & Reggie]

Haha, I'm in NO place to give advice! Other than make sure your pup gets properly socialized right, right, right away! I thought socializing well with 5-10 dogs would be enough, but apparently it didn't generalize for Reg! Good luck with Rigby! It sounds like you are off to a good start :)